Military Transitions

Hi Everyone! If you don't know by now I am a military wife. I know how hard this lifestyle can be especially in different transition times. My husband is still active duty but I know a ton of families who are and will be getting out soon. So I want to take this time to throw a little information out there. I recently collaborated with another great blogger by the name of Emma Banks. Her blog name is http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/. Please go check her out! 

She wrote an awesome article for my blog about the importance there is in helping our country's service members find employment once they have either finished active duty or been disabled and released from duty. The article gives a variety of examples of services and programs that have been created to assist with the development of skills and abilities, to actually finding and keeping a civilian job after leaving the military. Here is the article below. I hope that you enjoy and get plenty of information!  

Life After the Military: Debunking Job Search Myths

Are you looking forward to retirement from the military or planning to reintegrate into civilian life after fulfilling a minimum commitment? Either way, you may have some anxiety about finding employment outside of the military. Unfortunately, many myths exist that serve only to perpetuate that anxiety. Worrying won’t help, but learning the truth and debunking these myths will.

Myth #1: No company is looking to specifically hire military veterans.

Truth: In fact, many companies value our servicemen and women, and today’s employers also understand that military training instills veterans with a full spectrum of transferable skills that have proven valuable in today’s business world. At VeteranJobListings.com, these companies can post positions they would like to fill, and veterans are able to browse here at will. You can even apply for these positions without the hassle of creating an online account.

Myth #2: Asking for a referral greatly inconveniences others.

Truth: Your superiors and colleagues who appreciate you and the things you do will likely be honored to put in a good word for you. Furthermore, today’s employers understand the value of people’s time. To be more accommodating, many companies have made it possible for job seekers to request referrals via social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook by partnering with mobile recruiting services like JIBE.

Myth #3: You won’t be able to find a civilian job similar to the job you did in the military.

Truth: Although the primary goal of the military is to protect our country from all threats, many of the jobs carried out by military personnel are quite similar to various civilian jobs. Online, you can use the Skills Translator tool on Military.com to help you find non-military positions that parallel your military experience by entering your branch, pay grade and other service-related information.

Myth #4: Applying for jobs is time consuming and difficult.

Truth: Many of today’s companies have focused on streamlining the application process in order to make it easier to find the most qualified individuals for any job opening. Using electronic platforms, these employers allow applicants to upload resumes and other pertinent documents directly from computers, smart phones and other devices.

The transition into civilian life carries challenges of various types. Fortunately, you don’t have to believe all the bad news you hear. Take on the challenges that come your way, but remember that you have many resources to help you throughout the transition.

Emma is a mid 20-something year old with a passion for life, love, fitness, and helping others. She loves to be active and get involved in as many sport and community activities as possible. Emma is currently studying to become a Career & Life Coach, and loves to network with people from around the world! Check out Emma’s blog at http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/!